VISA FORMALITIES 

The IEC (International Experience Canada) offers three kinds of work permit in Canada:

• Young professionals (JP or JP-VIE for volunteering): this visa is intended for young French professionals wishing to polish their skill set with a short-term contract.
• Holiday-Work (PVT): this visa is intended for young French citizens who plan to travel in Canada and wish to get a temporary paid job; the PVT is the most flexible and popular option as it is an open work permit without prior contract. To find out the opening date for registration, follow the newsfeed on twitter.
• International Co-op Internship (valid for 12 months maximum, mandatory for all internships, paid or unpaid, as part of an academic curriculum): this visa is for young French citizens wishing to do a practical internship as part of their training.

CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION FOR  AN INTERNATIONAL CO-OP INTERNSHIP 

To acquire an International Co-op Internship Visa in Canada, you have to:

• Be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application, have the French or Swiss citizenship and live in France
• Have a valid passport for the length of your stay in Canada
• Be registered in a higher education establishment in metropolitan France, Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte or Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon
• Be able to justify an internship offer in Canada and the link with your field of study or your training

• Have sufficient resources for the beginning of your stay in Canada, the equivalent of 2 500 CAD minimum (and be able to show proof of it at the border); if the internship is unpaid you need additional funds to provide for your needs during the entirety of your stay (around 3000 Euros)

• Have not already worked in an International Co-op Internship or participated twice to the IEC initiative (PVT or Young professionals) with France
• Have valid health, hospitalization and repatriation insurance for the length of your stay
• Pay the fees: 126 CAD (around 87 euros)
• Have a round trip ticket or have sufficient resources to buy one 

PROCEDURES TO FOLLOW :

• Apply to IEC by following the given steps: questionnaire, unique code, registration, creation of a key GC account to enter the invitation base
• After a random draw by the authorities, you will receive an « invitation to ask for an International Co-op Internship Work Permit »; you will then have ten days to agree or refuse

• After agreement, you will have 20 days to officially ask for a work permit by giving all necessary documents (job offer number from the employer, internship agreement, passport etc.)

• You will leave with a « Point of Entry Letter of Introduction», to present to the immigration agent with your passport, proof of your funds and proof of medical insurance

• Count at least 10 to 15 weeks to receive your « Point of Entry Letter of Introduction »